REQUESTING THE STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE AND BEGIN THE PROCESS OF RENAMING HIGHWAY 666 THE SENATOR JOHN PINTO HIGHWAY.

WHEREAS, Senator John Pinto has spent his life in service of his nation, his state and his tribe; and

WHEREAS, Senator John Pinto is a role model for both Navajo and New Mexico youth; and

WHEREAS, Senator John Pinto served in the United States marine corps as a Navajo code talker in the Pacific theater; and

WHEREAS, Senator John Pinto served on the McKinley county commission; and

WHEREAS, Senator John Pinto has been a long-time employee of the Navajo Nation tribal government; and

WHEREAS, Senator John Pinto has served as a New Mexico state senator for seven terms; and

WHEREAS, Senator John Pinto is the second Native American to serve in the New Mexico legislature; and

WHEREAS, Senator John Pinto has been involved in building and maintaining many roads in Navajo land; and

WHEREAS, Senator John Pinto has been involved in improving the safety of highway 666;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state highway and transportation department be requested to investigate and begin the process of renaming highway 666 "Senator John Pinto highway"; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor and the secretary of highway and transportation.